From blindside to stateside for Boks
New coach Erasmus to take the team to the US to play Wales a week before their England Test
A new Springbok era under coach Rassie Erasmus will not start against England at Ellis Park on June 9 as expected, but a week earlier against Wales in Washington DC. The match – the first time the Boks will face tier-one opposition on neutral ground outside the Rugby World Cup – was confirmed by the event’s hosts, Rugby International Marketing, the commercial arm of USA Rugby, on Monday. Kick-off is scheduled for 11pm South African time in the Robert F Kennedy Stadium. The encounter against Wales takes place a week before a three-Test home series against England starts. Travelling to the US for a one-off Test so soon before they meet Eddie Jones’s team is an indication that income and brand building appear to be superseding player welfare and short-term success. Erasmus, who is set to be unveiled as Springbok coach on Wednesday, will be grateful for the chance to have his team play together before meeting England, who have won 24 of 26 Tests under Jones. But traversing the globe whi...
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